This paper analyzes the effectiveness of enforcement in controlling illegal immigration in two scenarios, capital mobility and capital immobility in the host nation (for illegal immigrants). The source nation is assumed throughout to have immobility of capital. We show that the net enforcement...

This paper argues, using Monte Carlo experiments, that bivariate correlated unobserved components (UC) framework delivers more accurate estimation results for trend and cycle parameters than the univariate framework. The paper estimates stochastic trend and cyclical fluctuations in Canada from a...

We adapt the metric of Kandel and Stambaugh (1995) to evaluate linear asset pricing models. The “KS-ratio” criterion rates a model’s usefulness based on the mean portfolio return a mean-variance decision maker obtains for any variance choice by using the model for optimal portfolio...

To successfully coordinate natural disaster relief, society must solve Hayek’s “knowledge, problem” at three critical information nodes: (1) identification of disaster; (2) determination of what relief is needed and who needs which relief resources; and (3) evaluation of on-going relief...

The effect that the components of the Economic Freedom of the World Index (Gwartney, Lawson, and Block, 2004) have on alternative measurements of well being is investigated. The objective is to observe the effect of trade policies and property rights on the quality of life using the Human...

As tax rates have risen through time, voter dislike of increased taxation has strengthened, leaving some states in a budget crunch. If policy-makers are to keep pace with the growing demand for public services, they must find ways to export tax burdens outside of the district. Taking advantage...

The effect of foreign aid on economic activity of a country can be dampened as it can potentially have adverse effects on exports through a real exchange rate appreciation. In this study we examine the long-term relationship between export performance and foreign aid in developing countries...

Vedder and Gallaway (1991) develop and test a unique theory about the interactions between the levels of spending captured by rent-seeking interest groups. They hypothesize that initially rent seekers cooperate in ways that expand government spending and rents. At some point, however, groups can...

Positive assortative matching in terms of traits like ethnicity, race and personality has been prevalent in marital formation. One possible explanation for this is that husbands and wives in endogamous marriages have complementary skills and tastes that increase marital surplus. This paper aims...

This paper provides an exploratory analysis into factors contributing to differences across states in recidivism rates. We provide the first such examination that incorporates differences in economic freedom. Using a panel data set from 1998-2010, we find that higher levels of economic freedom...